G4S has rebounded from the London Olympics security disaster with the ramping up of UK police and prison contracts and a growing presence in emerging markets boosting third-quarter sales.

Members of the armed forces had to work during the Olympics after G4S failed its contract []

The world's biggest security firm confirmed it still expects to lose about £50million on the London 2012 contract after its failure to provide enough guards for the Games led to troops being drafted in.

But the pace of organic sales in the three months to the end of September grew to 8 per cent from 6.8 per cent in the first half, as a stream of UK Government work helped offset "difficult" US government and some European markets.

Since the Olympics, G4S has secured contracts to manage the electronic tagging of offenders in Scotland and security checks at Oslo airport.

Chief Nick Buckles said: "We hope this track record of starting new business will hold us in good stead for winning further government business."

The company is about to face a key test of any reputational damage from the London Games, with contracts to run nine British prisons expected to be awarded shortly. G4S shares rose 9¼p to 270p.

We hope this track record of starting new business will hold us in good stead

Buckles added: "The North American commercial businesses are continuing to perform strongly."